First Stage of North Korea's Long-range Missile in Position
Updated: 2012-12-03 00:00:00 KST

Now that North Korea has installed part of its rocket on to the launch pad in North Pyongan Province,speculation looms over when the actual blast-off will take place.
Intelligence and military officials from the South say it will take at least three to four days for North Korea to erect the second and third stages of the long-range rocket.
After that is complete, final inspections will take place after the fuel is injected.
If all goes as planned, local experts say North Korea will be ready to launch its rocket in less than ONE week, BEFORE the announced launch date of December 10th.
But some analysts say an early blast-off is unlikely, even if the conditions are right.
They say the reclusive state is likely to wait until the 14th or 15th of December, to coincide the launch with the first anniversary of Kim Jong-il's death which falls on the 17th.
A successful rocket launch could be used as a form of propaganda in the reclusive state to rally support for its young leader Kim Jong-un.
But will this launch after a failed attempt in April be a success Meanwhile, North Korea reportedly notified the United States and Japan of its missile launch plan through an unofficial diplomatic track just before its official announcement according to Seoul based Yonhap News Agency.
The report stated that the notification was a simple announcement without any details.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.